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5 most important games on the Orlando Magic’s schedule

By Alfred Ezman

Markelle Fultz was at the head of making all the little plays in an Orlando Magic win over the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Markelle Fultz was at the head of making all the little plays in an Orlando Magic win over the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero is set to return for the Orlando Magic after a seven-game absence. His return will provide a huge boost to the team offensively. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5 most essential matchups on the Orlando Magic’s schedule

Oct. 25: vs. Houston Rockets

The first game of the year and the Orlando Magic see themselves going up against a team in a similar rebuild to theirs.

The Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets looked very even in head-to-head matchups from last season as each team won on the road.

It also made for exciting matchups as both teams shot well against each other at 45-plus percent from the field in both contests. The rebounding differentials in both games were also within 5 of each other. These games from last season had a lot of evenly-matched action.

The Magic certainly regretted the loss to the Rockets early in the season at Amway Center. And Orlando had to lean on a zone defense to erase a double-digit deficit on the road in Houston.

Just because the Magic are early favorites to win this game and the Rockets were at the bottom of the Western Conference last year does not mean anyone should count this as an easy win.

The Rockets should be better than last year considering they added Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in free agency. They will see the same natural progression as the Magic with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun taking another year under their belts. And Jabari Smith Jr. looked like he leveled up in his short Summer League run.

This will be a great season opener for the Orlando Magic as it gauges the tone very early on and it could them to a win against a team in a similar spot to them in the rebuilding process. The Rockets will more than likely come in with the same mentality as well wanting to get the season off to a hot start.

This game is even more important for the Magic considering they pack up and hit the road for a four-game West Coast trip right after this game for their earliest West Coast road trip in franchise history. It will be harder to handle that road trip at 0-1.

This has the makings for a very competitive game right off of the bat in Orlando.